Levels of Conformity to Islamic Values and the Process of Identification.

Nassir, Balkis

This study was conducted to measure the conformity levels and the identification process among university women students in an Islamic culture. Identity/conformity tests and costume identity tests were administered to 129 undergraduate female students at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia. The Photographic Costume Identity Test and the Identity Conformity Tests were both administered in Arabic. The findings from the two tests indicated that the majority of students belonged to the moderate level of conformity to Islamic values as reflected in their clothing, social customs and selected social habits. It is suggested that these students have not fully internalized the Islamic cultural identity. Low level conformers, loners, reported feeling comfortable about their identity, a finding that reflects either a contradiction between their acknowledged religious affiliation and expressed identity preference, or a shallow knowledge of cultural and religious values. The findings showed a positive relationship between student's conformity level and mothers' and friends' level of conformity. The religious factor did not have such a positive effect and exposure to foreign influences did not appear to contribute to low levels of conformity. (BHK)